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I did the right thing after all.

I had a post a few months ago where the title was "What did I do?" something like that.

I explained that I just sold Wilson Sophia II speakers and ordered a set of Tekton Moab to replace them.
I got the usual comment that I work for Tekton, I am stupid, I needed the money, don't know what I am doing, I will have to wait 12 weeks min to get the speakers, the speakers will be damaged when they arrive if ever.

I took all that with a grain of salt.  Some asked if I could share my results once I received the Moab. They wanted my opinion. I am not a technical writer or a reviewer. I am just a guy that has been buying and listening to HIFI since 1973. 

My first good system in 1974 was the JBL 100 Century, SAE power amp, Crown preamp, Thorens table with a Shure V15 type III cart.  That system would really sing.

OK, today I have a much better system:
Audio Research Ref 75 amp, Audio Research Ref 3 Pre, Wyred4Sound 10th Ann DAC, VIP Classic 1 table, Mac Mini Steaming Qobuz and Audiovarna.  CD transport playing through the W4S DAC.  High end cables throughout plus a PS Audio AC filter machine.

I figured it to be in the $50K range of replacement costs with new stuff.  The room is large with vaulted ceilings. Some treatments in the room.

So the Tekton speakers were delivered within a week due to a person that ordered them then cancelled. These were complete and sitting in the warehouse for 3 days when I called and ordered them.  I just got lucky.

I have been running them for about 1 month and I bet I have maybe 75 to 100 hours on them.  I am using Straight Wire Cadenza cables. You know why they call them straight wire?  Because they are so thick, you cannot bend them.

Anyway I was keep the speakers in the same position as the Wilson's. Not bad, sound is larger for sure.
Last week I moved away from my 9 feet listening position to about 15 feet from the speakers and about 7 feet from the back wall.   The speakers needed to be spread out a little more. The sound stage totally open up more, bass deeper and more of it. Everything is really good now.  

I streamed a few good recordings of Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. Ronnie's Telecaster is in the room. I have never experienced anything like that before.  Live recordings sound like I am in the hall. 

Your experiences will vary but I am in a perfect position right now. The only thing I have left to do is install my new phono pre-amp that is being delivered tomorrow, a Modwright 9.0X that I purchased from the Music Room. It is new not used.

I am so glad I sold those Wilson and made some money on the deal while I was at it. It allowed me to buy used Speaker cables that are up to the task with these Tekton's.



128x128bill_peloquin
mofojo
2,176 posts
 
@daros,

did you sell your 3.3s or still got them?
daros71's avatar
daros71
118 posts
 
Unfortunately i sold them. Fortunately to a friend so i can listen to them from time to time.
bill_peloquin's avatar
bill_peloquin OP
31 posts
 

After owning the Moab’s for a few years. I traded them to The Music Room towards a set of Canton Ref 3K speakers. I lost more than 1/2 the money I spent on the Moabs. I also included the Townsend Stands.

My opinion of the Moabs after living with them all this time. They are Big, Black and dominated the room. OK, now that is out of the way.

The sound was good, midrange is very good like Eric says. Tweeters did not sparkle, Bass needed some help. I added a REL Classic 98 that gave me the real bass I was missing. In all honesty, I felt like I was listening to a PA system in a concert hall. I think that is why Live recordings did sound best.

So, now I have the Canton Speakers set up, I will wait to see if I wasted money yet again on speakers. I had to give TMR $5400 plus my Moabs to get them. I need time to make that decision.

What does the mighty internet think?

coralkong's avatar
coralkong
600 posts
 

Well, you have to please you.

I don’t care what anybody else thinks of my gear, it works for me (and sounds great).

I also owned (and still do) a pair of Tektons.

Also like you, I sort of "outgrew them" (I have a pair of Enzo XLs with Be tweeters sitting in storage. Definitely not in the MOAB class, but they worked as advertised and served their purpose...).

I had much the same experience you did, and ended up replacing them with a pair of OB speakers. Not sure I could ever go back to a box speaker, to be honest....

It’s a constant journey, isn’t it?

As long as you're happy, I'd say you did the right thing.

Not many people I know make money in this hobby. It's to be expected to lose $$$ along the way. Enjoy! JM2CW.

 

jimmy2615
412 posts
 

OP, thanks for following up. It’s posts like these I find most useful - giving something a couple years then letting people know your thoughts. Those Cantons are big, impressive speakers, and seem to be a pretty good value. I heard them at a show a few years back with all Esoteric equipment. Let us know how it turns out.

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